Philadelphia 76ers: 5 standouts from Orlando scrimmages

5. Al Horford

I’m cheating a bit here, as the word “standout” typically has a positive connotation. But Al Horford stood out for reasons good and bad in the Sixers’ scrimmages, and he certainly deserves a mention on this list when you consider his importance to a hypothetical Philadelphia championship run.

Horford drew two starts in place of Joel Embiid, who played 10 minutes in the first scrimmage before calling it quits and looking ahead to the regular season. In those starts, Horford did a lot of good — especially on offense. He also struggled in a few key areas.

Offensively, this was the best we’ve seen Horford in many, many months. Even in the Memphis game, when he was at his dullest, the big man still managed five assists. Horford came alive from 3-point land in the final two scrimmages, shooting 6-for-11 in that span.

If Horford can start to space the floor more consistently, it will drastically improve his fit in the offense — especially when he’s forced to share the court with Embiid. Horford will never touch All-Star status again, but he’s still a smart, measured contributor who knows his spots offensively. A better jumper is a good sign.

As for negatives, Horford was a major weak point for the Sixers’ defense. Once billed as a defensive stalwart — heck, it’s why Philadelphia signed him in the first place — Horford has struggled to defend the rim all season. These scrimmages were no different.

In lieu of Embiid, Horford gave up several easy looks at the rim. The Sixers’ pick-and-roll coverage was subpar, and Horford’s agility seems to evaporate whenever he’s asked to contest a shot inside. He lacks the spryness that once defined him, and it’s difficult to watch.